A day of Reflection and Remembrance.

[SASKFARMER]

Today is a day of reflection for the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice so Canadians can be free today. It's a Red Poppy not a multi-coloured or Blue for animals. It does not glamorize war. Show respect for what the brave young men and women did for all of us. Wear a poppy proudly.

[SASKFARMER]

Don Cherry also got it so right.

[chuckChuck]

If you think Don Cherry got it right you are just as obnoxious and ignorant as him.

Cherry should should keep his bigoted views to himself and stick to talking about hockey.

Many immigrants from different parts of the world have served in the Canadian military and came from the countries that were allies with Canada in several wars.

It's a an f-ing disgrace to have a public figure like Cherry dishonour our immigrant vets and their sacrifices because he doesn't see "some" people wearing poppies.

Cherry doesn't seem to know anything about history or the fact that our most recent minister of defense is a Sihk veteran!

Cherry should have been retired long ago!

[chuckChuck]

What Don Cherry forgets about Remembrance Day, hockey and what unites Canada
Shireen Ahmed
Special to The Globe and Mail
Published November 10, 2019

Shireen Ahmed is a sports writer and co-host of the Burn It All Down podcast.

Arguably the most joyous day for my parents was not their kids’ university graduations nor the birth of their grandchildren (sorry, kids.) It was the day my mother met her sports hero, Guy Lafleur. She had purchased a brand new red hijab to match her Habs jersey. My father, a white-bearded Muslim man took dozens of photos, and met Elise Beliveau, the wife of Canadian legend Jean Beliveau. Later, I could hear the lump in his throat as he recalled the moment. My parents, immigrants to Canada, were received with happiness and pride that day at the Bell Centre.

In my world, that defined what hockey should be. On Saturday night in a segment for Hockey Night in Canada, Don Cherry showed precisely what hockey isn’t.

The NHL coach turned Coach’s Corner commentator went on a rant about why, in his opinion, there are fewer poppies worn. He targeted those living in downtown Toronto – who he once dismissed at “left-wing Pinkos”- and newcomers specifically.

“You people … you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that,” Mr. Cherry said. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.” Any sentence that starts with “you people” should immediately raise red flags – but not for co-host Ron MacLean, who nodded along.

My maternal grandfather was in Burma fighting in the trenches with the Royal Indian Army. My paternal grandfather was in the Royal Indian Air Force. They sacrificed a tremendous amount, with the other allied nations. For Mr. Cherry to point at immigrant communities and blame them for a perceived lack of respect is disgusting and unacceptable. This, too, from a man who has never served a day in his life.

And how, precisely, does Mr. Cherry know there are fewer poppies being worn this year? And that immigrants aren’t donning them? Did he go out and survey the tin cans of donations from youth and community members selling poppies? Has he checked the lapels of people’s coats?

Further still, has Don Cherry ever acknowledged the many vets who are suffering from homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues who get so little support? Has he commented on the Indigenous peoples who fought on the front lines only to come back to Canada and not be allowed to vote? Or the black men who served and were not welcomed in the sport he claims to love?

Does he know who has or has not supported the vets and their families with kindness, monetary gifts, and social supports? Is he familiar of the histories of black and brown bodies who were made to serve in wars created by rich, powerful white men?

If he is going to use a hockey platform, Mr. Cherry better get his facts straight.

Mr. Cherry is using his own politicized agenda to vilify people of colour and claim we are uncaring and disrespectful. His claims are not only untrue but disingenuous and unpatriotic. His sidekick, Ron MacLean, sat there nodding quietly affirming Cherry’s comments. Mr. MacLean allows his co-host to spew bigotry and is therefore complicit. I would be satisfied with Mr. Cherry being fired, but even happier with both being replaced. Perhaps with one of the amazing CWHL players – who are intelligent and talented athletes but without a league. If not them, then the fantastic team of Hockey Night Punjabi who do a fantastic job of sharing important stories and joy through hockey, in a manner that is desperately needed.

Sportsnet issued a shoddy apology Sunday morning, claiming that Mr. Cherry’s views are discriminatory and do “not reflect their values,” yet they continue to pay Mr. Cherry huge sums of money to share such views. If that doesn’t represent who they are as a media outlet, I’m not sure what does. Sunday evening, Ron MacLean also issued an apology and stated “I wished I had handled myself differently.” But he spoke for himself and on behalf of Mr. Cherry- and underlined that they “love hockey,” which made me uncomfortable. He called Mr. Cherry’s comments “divisive.” He spoke about making amends and in order to make amends, the mic needs to be passed. And for once, these men need to sit down, and just listen. A way to move forward is to simply get out of the way of progress.

Mr. MacLean also expressed that "our diversity is one of our country's greatest strengths." I agree with that; that diversity needs to be reflected in hockey media, and on Hockey Night in Canada.

It is time for Sportsnet to cut ties with Mr. Cherry unless they are keen on bankrolling the intolerant, unacceptable systems of discrimination that ruin sport. Fighting for justice and equality is what hockey needs. Don Cherry is the enemy of this fight. He needs to be muted – permanently.

For many Canadians, Remembrance Day is a time of solemn reflection, and on how to make this country better. I will honour my late grandfathers by fighting against bigotry.

We don’t need to be lectured on how to respect veterans and remember sacrifices – and certainly not by Don Cherry. Hockey deserves far more. Hockey is for everyone.

[bucket]

its freedom of speech and as usual probably good for ratings....

[chuckChuck]

I doubt that Cherry will help expand the number of viewers in a country that is full of immigrants. He will likely have the opposite effect.

I doubt many advertisers want to be associated with his ugly views.

[jazz]

Lets be honest now chuck, new batches of immigrants are vastly underrepresented in many areas of Canada that have to do with nationalism or major sectors of our economy.

Canada is extremely poor at integration.

[chuckChuck]

Compared to what?

Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Brandon have many recent immigrants. Many of them are very successful and hardworking.

Even many small towns on the prairies are seeing immigrants coming in to fill jobs because businesses can't find enough local employees to fill jobs.

[jazz]

Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Brandon have many recent immigrants. Many of them are very successful and hardworking.

Sure they are, in one sector of the economy, local retail. We all know who is climbing the poles in the winter snowstorms or slinging chain on the drilling platform.

[chuckChuck]

Sure they are, in one sector of the economy, local retail. We all know who is climbing the poles in the winter snowstorms or slinging chain on the drilling platform.

I personally know of immigrant welders, fabricators, machinists, service rig workers, meat cutters, farm workers, farmers, business people, computer specialists, healthcare workers including nurses and doctors, engineers and truck drivers.

Do you live in a bubble? Open your eyes.

[RD414]

I’m with you Saskfarmer, today is the day for vets. Leftwards and idiots like chuck will try to change it. WE, our country, our forefathers promised we would remember those who fought and those who died for Canadas rights and freedom. To all who will try to change the reason for this day, shame on you.

[AllisWD45]

A Day of Reflection and Remembrance. Wow did this thread ever go downhill fast from that title. Today is a day to remember the ultimate sacrifice that our men and women gave so we live freely as we do now.Can't we just set all the politically correct bullshit aside just for today and start up the verbal war about Trump, Trudeau, Quebec,Alberta, Cherry, left vs right again tomorrow. Our soldiers who gave their lives i am sure at least deserve that much. Please.

[chuckChuck]

I lost an Uncle in the second world war who went to war to fight against fascism, bigotry, racism and hate!

But some of you jackasses, including Don Cherry seem to have forgotten what they were fighting for.

So RD414 f#*k off with your cowardly juvenile insults if you cant stand up for all Canadians and veterans no matter where they come from or what colour their skin is.

[LEP]

I personally know of immigrant welders, fabricators, machinists, service rig workers, meat cutters, farm workers, farmers, business people, computer specialists, healthcare workers including nurses and doctors, engineers and truck drivers.

Do you live in a bubble? Open your eyes.

Give it a facking rest already chuck. Your holier than thou attitude is sickening.

You think we must all bow in deference to the words you utter. Getting rather sick of it.

[jazz]

Don't see what reminding people what the pioneers of this country gave us if offensive. Chery didnt pick out any race to remind them. Surely some white people have immigrated here too. Should find out if they got offended.

Just like reminding them our energy industry is a critcal part or our economy and it will continue. Many of them didn't know that in the last election and need to be told straight up this time around.